Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) Interim Support Phase 2

Concepts

• bristol
• radar
• iff
• technical support
• service support contract
• the qec mission system
• foe
• the qec
• elizabeth
• qec

Location

Bristol

Description

QEC IFF is a secondary surveillance radar system fitted to the two ships in the QEC. It forms part of the QEC Mission System and contributes towards situational awareness, identification and Air Traffic Control operations within both vessels.

Total Quantity or Scope

In Service Support contract allowing for the provision of technical support; training provision; asset repair and procurement. These services are needed to support the Authority to maximise system availability and sustain platform operational capability.

Award Detail

Renewal Options

One year extension period, from 1st April 2027 to 31st March 2028.

CPV Codes

• 35722000 - Radar

Indicators

• Options are available.
• Award on basis of price and quality.

Legal Justification

The Secretary of State for Defence (the Authority), through the Surface Ships Combat Systems Group (SSCSG) Project Team within Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) intends to place a 3-year contract, with a 1-year option period for a maximum duration of 4 years, with Leonardo UK Ltd. for the Support of Queen Elizabeth Class (QEC) Identification Friend or Foe (IFF). QEC IFF is a secondary surveillance radar system fitted to the two ships in the QEC. It forms part of the QEC Mission System and contributes towards situational awareness, identification and Air Traffic Control operations within both vessels. It is considered that this contract can be placed using the negotiated procedure without prior publication of a contract notice pursuant to Regulation 16(1)(a)(ii) of the UK Defence and Security Public Contracts Regulations 2011 for technical and safety reasons. Leonardo UK Ltd. is the existing service provider and only they possess the necessary expertise, means and know how essential to delivering and supporting the IFF capability as it is a bespoke technical solution fitted to QEC which is a key mitigator of several risks to life. It is not feasible for another supplier to achieve the required technical performance, as they would not have the specific technical knowledge, tools and means which the current supplier has at its disposal. Not achieving the required technical performance would represent a critical safety failure as loss or reduction of the dual island interrogator capability would lead to blind spots in the QEC’s air traffic management (ATM) capabilities, with significant safety risk consequences for both military and civilian aviation as a result. Therefore, only Leonardo UK Ltd. can provide the service from a safety perspective.